Antibacterial activity of Euphorbia antiquorum latex

A.A.J.P Kumara, D.L Jayratne, G.V Samaranayake

Abstract

Euphorbia antiquorum is a large shrub or small tree belonging to the largest and the most diverse family in the plant kingdom, Euphorbiaceae. E. antiquram latex was used as a classical binding agent for the kshara sutra in the management of the anal fistula.In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of latex of E. antiquorum on certain microbes. The methanolic extract of the latex was prepared. The fractions of methanol extract were tested for their antibacterial activity against the Gram positive bacteria, Streptococus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa.The results revealed that the latex showed minimum inhibition only to E. coli and S. aureus. Latex did not posses antibacterial activity against S. agalactiae and P. aeruginosa. The results suggest that the E. antiquorum latex extract account for the antibacterial properties and has a potential for use as an antimicrobial agent.